Water container with floatable filter system and method

ABSTRACT

A portable drinking water filter system, such as a pitcher, having a sleeve and a floatable body including a filter opening configured to receive a water filter, the floatable body having a seal extending outward from an outer surface of the floatable body. The floatable body is disposed in a sleeve cavity such that a body seal engages the sidewall and restricts water from passing between the floatable body and the sidewall. The seal is configured to create friction with the sidewall, wherein the friction created when the floatable body rises in the sleeve is different than when the floatable body lowers in the sleeve. The friction created when the floatable body rises in the sleeve is greater than when the floatable body lowers in the sleeve, allowing the floatable body to auto-retract toward a cavity base without burping.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in part of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 15/348,888, entitled “WATER CONTAINER WITH FLOATABLE FILTER” toShotey et al., which was filed Nov. 10, 2016, which application is acontinuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/302,205,entitled “WATER FILTER SYSTEMS AND METHODS OF USE” to Shotey et al.,which was filed on Jun. 11, 2014, which document claims the benefit ofthe filing date of U.S. Provisional Patent Application 61/920,021,entitled “WATER FILTER SYSTEMS AND METHODS OF USE” to Shotey et al.,which was filed on Dec. 23, 2013, the contents of which is herebyincorporated herein by reference, and also claims the benefit of thefiling date of U.S. Provisional Patent Application 61/976,276, entitled“WATER FILTER SYSTEMS AND METHODS OF USE” to Shotey et al., which wasfiled on Apr. 7, 2014, the contents of each of which are herebyincorporated herein by reference. This application also claims benefitof U.S. Provisional Patent application 62/375,863, entitled “WATERFILTER SYSTEMS AND METHODS OF USE” to Shotey et al., which was filedAug. 16, 2016, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein byreference. This application also claims benefit of U.S. ProvisionalPatent application 62/474,532, entitled “WATER FILTER SYSTEMS ANDMETHODS OF USE” to Shotey et al., which was filed Mar. 21, 2017, thedisclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure is generally related to the field of waterfiltration containers, including water pitchers, having filtersconfigured to provide filtered water.

BACKGROUND

Pitchers with an attachable water filter are frequently used byconsumers who wish to filter tap water before drinking or use. Typicalfilters couple to a reservoir that fixedly sits within the waterpitcher. These reservoirs, however, are usually relatively smallcompared to the amount of space available within the pitcher forcarrying purified water. If, however, the reservoir is enlarged toincrease the unfiltered water capacity of the reservoir, the size of thefiltered water space decreases. Thus, conventional water filtrationpitchers require multiple fills of the reservoir to fill the volume ofthe filtered water reservoir, which is very time consuming, frustrating,and can take up to 15 minutes or more.

Frustration over the long wait time for fully filling a water pitcher,the small filtered water reservoir compared to the pitcher size, and therequirement to fill the unfiltered water reservoir multiple times to geta fully filled filtered water reservoir has existed since the firstself-filtering water pitchers with the unfiltered water reservoirs werelaunched by Brita in the 1960s. Companies such as Brita, Pur andCamelback have all attempted to solve these problems in different ways,but each commercially viable attempt still suffers from one or more ofthe problems of requiring multiple fills, reduced filtering ofcontaminants, and slower fill or dispensing of water because thefiltering is being done while filling or dispensing. Despite theinherent problems with the original Brita design with its smallunfiltered water reservoir that requires multiple fills to filter waterto the larger filtered water reservoir, that Brita pitcher design stillremains the top selling self-filtering water pitcher in the world.

SUMMARY

According to one aspect, a portable drinking water pitcher may comprisea floatable body surrounding a filter opening adapted to receive andengage a replaceable water filter therein, the floatable body having aseal extending outward of an outer surface of the floatable body, apitcher having an upper end and a base opposite the upper end, the baseand the upper end joined by an outer wall, the pitcher defining a firstcavity, a removable sleeve positioned within the pitcher and extendingfrom the upper end to proximate the base of the pitcher, the sleevedefining a second cavity within the pitcher and comprising one or moresidewalls continuously surrounding the second cavity, the sleeve havinga top open end and a bottom open end, and a spout formed by the one ormore sidewalls of the removable sleeve and the outer wall of thepitcher, the spout extending from adjacent the base of the pitcher toadjacent the upper end of the pitcher, the spout defining an exitopening located adjacent the upper end and an inlet opening locatedadjacent the base, wherein the inlet opening of the spout is in fluidcommunication with the bottom end of the sleeve and receives water fromthe second cavity of the sleeve, wherein the floatable body is disposedin the cavity with the seal engaging the one or more sidewalls torestrict water from passing between the floatable body and the one ormore sidewalls as the floatable body moves from a raised positionadjacent the top end of the sleeve to a lowered position adjacent thebottom open end of the sleeve, and wherein as water is dispensed throughthe spout, the floatable body auto-retracts towards the base whilemaintaining the engagement of the seal with the one or more sidewallsand an orientation of the floatable body in relation to the base as thepitcher is tipped to pour water from the spout.

Particular embodiments may comprise one or more of the followingfeatures. The auto-retraction of the floatable body may occur inreaction to a pressure differential created between air above thefloatable body in the cavity and water below the floatable body in thesecond cavity. The auto-retraction of the floatable body may be in adirection away from the exit opening of the spout. The base of thepitcher may be located above the exit opening of the spout at the upperopening when the floatable body auto-retracts away from the upperopening towards the base when the pitcher is tipped to pour water fromthe spout. The seal of the floatable body may be located above thebottom end of the sleeve after the floatable body has beenauto-retracted to the base. The floatable body may have a planar bottomsurface and the sleeve may have a planar bottom surface, the planarsurfaces located parallel to one another and remain parallel as thefloatable body auto-retracts towards the base when the pitcher is tippedto pour water from the spout. The floatable body may fill a portion ofthe bottom open end as the floatable body auto-retracts towards thebase. The top open end of the sleeve may be proximate the upper end ofthe pitcher and the bottom open end of the sleeve is in contact with thebase. The second cavity may fill a majority of the first cavity. Thefirst cavity having a first volume and the second cavity having a secondvolume, wherein the second volume may fill at least 70% of the firstvolume. The second volume fills at least 85% of the first volume. One ofthe bottom open end of the sleeve and the pitcher base may comprise aprotrusion, and the other of the bottom open end of the sleeve and thepitcher base may be mated with the protrusion. The pitcher may engagethe sleeve proximate at least one of the top open end and the bottomopen end of the sleeve. A removable lid may be coupled to the upper endof the pitcher and the top open end of the sleeve. The floatable bodyhaving a volume within the floatable body and the second cavity having avolume within the second cavity, wherein the ratio of the floatable bodyvolume to the second cavity volume may be within the range of ⅛ to ½.The seal may have a first portion configured to engage the floatablebody and a second portion extending outwardly and configured to engagethe one or more sleeve sidewalls and restrict water from passing betweenthe floatable body and the one or more sleeve sidewalls. The secondportion may comprise an arm, a distal tapered tip coupled to the arm,and a bridge coupled to the arm through a hinge portion opposite thetapered tip and also coupled to the first portion opposite the hingeportion. The hinge portion may be configured to allow the second portionto bend about the hinge portion such that the tapered tip engages theone or more sleeve sidewalls at a second angle relative to the floatablebody when the floatable body rises, and a first angle when the floatablebody lowers. The tapered tip may be configured to create friction withthe one or more sleeve sidewalls, wherein the friction created when thefloatable body rises in the sleeve is different from the frictioncreated when the floatable body lowers in the sleeve.

According to another aspect, a portable drinking water pitcher maycomprise a floatable body surrounding a filter opening adapted toreceive and engage a replaceable water filter therein, the floatablebody having a seal extending outward of an outer surface of thefloatable body, and a pitcher having an upper end, a sidewall defining acavity, a lid and a base opposite the upper end, the pitcher furtherhaving an inner wall and an outer wall defining a channel, the channelincluding an exit opening located adjacent the upper end and an inletopening located adjacent the base, wherein the floatable body isdisposed in the cavity with the seal engaging the sidewall of the cavityto restrict water from passing between the sidewall and the floatablebody as the floatable body moves between a first position and a secondposition, and wherein as water is dispensed through the exit opening ofthe channel, the floatable body auto-retracts away from the lid towardsthe base while maintaining the engagement of the seal with the sidewalland an orientation of the floatable body in relation to the base as thepitcher is tipped to pour water from the channel.

Particular embodiments may comprise one or more of the followingfeatures. The auto-retraction of the floatable body may be in adirection away from the exit opening of the channel. The base of thepitcher may be located above the exit opening of the channel when thefloatable body auto-retracts away from the lid towards the base when thepitcher is tipped to pour water from the channel. The inner wall mayhave a terminal end that is spaced a distance from the base and define apassageway in fluid communication with the inlet opening of the channel,the floatable body may reduce the size of the passageway as thefloatable body auto-retracts towards the base. The seal of the floatablebody may be located above the terminal end after the floatable body hasbeen retracted to the base. The floatable body has a planar bottomsurface and the base has a planar bottom surface, the planar surfacesmay be located parallel to one another and remaining parallel as thefloatable body auto-retracts toward the base when the pitcher is tippedto pour water from the channel. The floatable body may further compriseat least one contact point on a surface of the floatable body that isvertically spaced from the seal by more than half a distance between atop surface of the floatable seal and a bottom surface of the floatableseal.

According to another aspect, a method of filtering water may comprisedisposing a removable sleeve in a first cavity of a container, thecontainer having a handle, an upper end, a pour lip, one or more pitchersidewalls, and a pitcher base opposite the upper end together definingthe first cavity, and the removable sleeve having an upper opening, oneor more sleeve sidewalls, and a lower opening in the one or more sleevesidewalls proximate a lower end of the sleeve opposite the upper openingtogether defining a second cavity, securing an interchangeable waterfilter within a filter opening of a floatable body, the floatable bodysurrounding the filter opening and having a seal extending outward of anouter surface of the floatable body, disposing the floatable body withinthe sleeve such that the seal is engaged with the one or more sleevesidewalls and restricts water from passing between the floatable bodyand the one or more sleeve sidewalls while the floatable body remainsmoveable within the second cavity between a first position proximate thepitcher base to a second position proximate the sleeve upper opening,filling a portion of the second cavity above the floatable body withunfiltered water deposited through the upper opening, dispensingfiltered water by tipping the pitcher, pouring the filtered water fromthe second cavity below the floatable body through a channel formed by avoid between the container and the sleeve, the channel extending fromthe second cavity through the lower opening of the sleeve to the pourlip proximate the upper end of the container, refilling the portion ofthe second cavity above the floatable body with unfiltered water afterthe all filtered water has been dispensed and the floatable body hasauto-retracted to the first position in response to the dispensing ofall filtered water, wherein filtered water is deposited into the secondcavity below the floatable body after passing through the water filteras the floatable body moves within the sleeve toward the second positionin response to a first pressure differential within the second cavitycreated by water filtering from above the floatable body to below thefloatable body, and wherein the floatable body auto-retracts toward thefirst position, while maintaining engagement with the one more sleevesidewalls and relative orientation in relation to the pitcher base, inresponse to a second pressure differential within the second cavitycreated by pouring filtered water from the second cavity through thechannel by tipping the pitcher, wherein the auto-retraction toward thefirst position is concurrent with the pouring of filtered water and in adirection opposite a direction of the filtered water moving through thechannel to the pour lip.

Particular embodiments may comprise one or more of the following.Coupling a removable lid to the upper end and the upper opening. One ofthe lower end of the sleeve and the pitcher base may comprise aprotrusion, and wherein disposing the removable sleeve in the firstcavity of the container further may comprise mating the other of thelower end of the sleeve and the pitcher base with the protrusion.

Aspects and applications of the disclosure presented here are describedbelow in the drawings and detailed description. Unless specificallynoted, it is intended that the words and phrases in the specificationand the claims be given their plain, ordinary, and accustomed meaning tothose of ordinary skill in the applicable arts. The inventors are fullyaware that they can be their own lexicographers if desired. Theinventors expressly elect, as their own lexicographers, to use only theplain and ordinary meaning of terms in the specification and claimsunless they clearly state otherwise and then further, expressly setforth the “special” definition of that term and explain how it differsfrom the plain and ordinary meaning. Absent such clear statements ofintent to apply a “special” definition, it is the inventors' intent anddesire that the simple, plain and ordinary meaning to the terms beapplied to the interpretation of the specification and claims.

The inventors are also aware of the normal precepts of English grammar.Thus, if a noun, term, or phrase is intended to be furthercharacterized, specified, or narrowed in some way, then such noun, term,or phrase will expressly include additional adjectives, descriptiveterms, or other modifiers in accordance with the normal precepts ofEnglish grammar. Absent the use of such adjectives, descriptive terms,or modifiers, it is the intent that such nouns, terms, or phrases begiven their plain, and ordinary English meaning to those skilled in theapplicable arts as set forth above.

Further, the inventors are fully informed of the standards andapplication of the special provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 112, ¶ 6. Thus, theuse of the words “function,” “means” or “step” in the DetailedDescription or Description of the Drawings or claims is not intended tosomehow indicate a desire to invoke the special provisions of 35 U.S.C.§ 112, ¶ 6, to define the invention. To the contrary, if the provisionsof 35 U.S.C. § 112, ¶ 6 are sought to be invoked to define theinventions, the claims will specifically and expressly state the exactphrases “means for” or “step for”, and will also recite the word“function” (i.e., will state “means for performing the function of[insert function]”), without also reciting in such phrases anystructure, material or act in support of the function. Thus, even whenthe claims recite a “means for performing the function of . . . ” or“step for performing the function of . . . ,” if the claims also reciteany structure, material or acts in support of that means or step, orthat perform the recited function, then it is the clear intention of theinventors not to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 112, ¶ 6.Moreover, even if the provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 112, ¶ 6 are invoked todefine the claimed aspects, it is intended that these aspects not belimited only to the specific structure, material or acts that aredescribed in the preferred embodiments, but in addition, include any andall structures, materials or acts that perform the claimed function asdescribed in alternative embodiments or forms of the disclosure, or thatare well known present or later-developed, equivalent structures,material or acts for performing the claimed function.

The foregoing and other aspects, features, and advantages will beapparent to those artisans of ordinary skill in the art from theDESCRIPTION and DRAWINGS, and from the CLAIMS.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The disclosure will hereinafter be described in conjunction with theappended drawings, where like designations denote like elements.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a floatable sealand filter;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a first embodiment of a floatableseal taken along line A-A of FIG. 1 and placed in a container;

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of a second embodiment of a drinking waterfilter system;

FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of adrinking water filter system;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a floatable seal;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a floatable seal taken along lineB-B in FIG. 5 and positioned within a filter sleeve;

FIG. 7 is an exploded view of third embodiment of a drinking waterfilter system;

FIGS. 8A and 8B are perspective views of an embodiment of a lid having aknob;

FIGS. 9A and 9B are perspective views of an embodiment of a lid having aslider piece;

FIGS. 10A and 10B are perspective views of an embodiment of a lid havinga biased flap;

FIG. 11A is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a floatable sealhaving a keyed feature;

FIG. 11B is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a filter havinga key channel;

FIG. 12A is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a filter havinga key channel; and

FIG. 12B is perspective view of a second embodiment of a filter having akeyed feature.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a water pitcher having a floatablewater filtering body;

FIGS. 14-19 illustrate different views of the water pitcher of FIG. 13;

FIG. 20 illustrates the floatable body at the base of the cavityimmediately after unfiltered water is poured into the cavity;

FIG. 21 illustrates the floatable body as it rises in the cavity duringfiltering of the water;

FIG. 22 illustrates the floatable body after it rises to the top of thecavity and the unfiltered water is filtered;

FIGS. 23-25 illustrate enlarged portions of FIGS. 20-22;

FIG. 26 illustrates an exploded view of the floatable body;

FIGS. 27-30 illustrate different views of the y-ring;

FIG. 31 illustrates the pitcher when initially tipped to dispensefiltered water;

FIG. 32 illustrates the pitcher as filtered water is dispensed;

FIG. 33 illustrates the pitcher after all filtered water has beendispensed, showing that the floatable body auto-retracts toward thepitcher base;

FIGS. 34-36 illustrate enlarged portions of FIGS. 31-33;

FIG. 37 illustrates the floatable body including the water filter;

FIGS. 38-44 illustrate various views of the floatable body of FIG. 37;

FIG. 45 illustrates an exploded view of the floatable body;

FIG. 46 illustrates the insertion of the water filter by rotation intothe floatable body member;

FIG. 47 illustrates a perspective view of the water filter;

FIGS. 48-54 illustrate different views of the contoured water filter;

FIG. 55 is a perspective exploded view of a water pitcher having afloatable water filtering body and a sleeve;

FIGS. 56-59 illustrate different views of the water pitcher of FIG. 55;and

FIGS. 60-62 illustrate cross-sectional views of the water pitcher ofFIG. 55 with the floatable water filtering body in different positions.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

This disclosure, its aspects and implementations, are not limited to thespecific components or assembly procedures disclosed herein. Manyadditional components and assembly procedures known in the artconsistent with the intended water filter system and/or assemblyprocedures for a water filter system will become apparent for use withimplementations of water filter systems from this disclosure.Accordingly, for example, although particular containers, seals, andfilters are disclosed, such containers, seals, and filters andimplementing components may comprise any shape, size, style, type,model, version, measurement, concentration, material, quantity, and/orthe like as is known in the art for such water filter systems andimplementing components, consistent with the intended operation of awater filter system.

Various embodiments of water filter systems contemplated as part of thisdisclosure are advantageous to water filter systems previously known inthe art because the systems eliminate wasted space often present inconventional water filter systems. For example, conventional waterfilter systems include a reservoir that holds unfiltered water as it isfiltered into a pitcher. When all or most of the water is unfiltered andin the unfiltered reservoir, the pitcher is empty or nearly empty, andthus wasted space. Conversely, when all or most of the water is filteredand in the pitcher, the unfiltered reservoir is empty or nearly empty,and thus wasted space. In essence, then, from 30%-50% of conventionalwater filter systems is empty or wasted space. This space is critical ina refrigerator or dining area. In contrast to these conventional waterfilter systems, various embodiments of the water filter systemcontemplated as part of this disclosure eliminate substantially allempty or wasted space in the system through use of a floatable seal.

FIG. 1 depicts a non-limiting embodiment of a floatable seal 50surrounding a replaceable water filter 40. In the non-limitingembodiment depicted in FIG. 1, the filter 40 is positioned substantiallycentral on the floatable seal 50. In other embodiments, the filter 40may be positioned elsewhere on the floatable seal 50. In particularembodiments, due to balance concerns, it may be advantageous to positionthe filter in substantially the balance center of the floatable seal 50so that it moves upward as it filters more evenly. The filter 40 isconfigured to filter unfiltered water positioned above, in relation togravity, the floatable seal 50 through the filter 40 to an area belowthe filter 40. In one or more embodiments, no additional force beyondthe force of gravity is required for the unfiltered water to passthrough the filter 40. The filter 40 may comprise any filter previouslyknown in the art and adapted to couple to the floatable seal 50. In oneor more embodiments, the filter 40 comprises a charcoal filter or anyother known water-filtering device. The specific type of water filterused is not critical to the embodiments illustrated herein unlessotherwise indicated. More particular embodiments may comprise a filter40 having a filth or exhaustion indicator that indicates the approximatelife of the filter 40 or when the filter 40 needs replacements.According to another aspect, the filter 40 may be configured to measureand display the temperature of the water within the container.

One or more embodiments of a filter 40 may be fixedly or removablycoupled to the floatable seal 50 according to various aspects of thewater filtering system contemplated herein. As depicted in thenon-limiting embodiment depicted in FIG. 2, the filter 40 is sized torest upon a ledge or lip 44 on a filter opening 36 extending at leastpartially through the body 38 of the floatable seal 50. In this andother embodiments, the filter 40 is adapted for simple efficient removaland replacement of the replaceable water filter 40 associated with theseal 50. In one or more embodiments, the filter 40 may comprise a filterring 41 extending from the filter 40 and positioned to engage with thelip 44 on the filter opening 36. Such engagement holds the filter 40 inplace and allows water to pass from above the floatable seal 50 to belowthe floatable seal 50 only through the filter 40.

The floatable seal 50 may comprise any shape complementary to the shapeof the container 49 with which the floatable seal 50 will be utilized.In the particular non-limiting embodiment depicted in FIG. 1, thefloatable seal 50 is substantially cylindrical in shape. The floatableseal 50, then, is configured for use within a substantially cylindricalcontainer 49 such as a pitcher or cup. Pitchers are typically largerthan cups. In other embodiments, the floatable seal 50 may comprise anyshape complementary to the shape of the container 49 with which thefloatable seal 50 is utilized, including but not limited to oval,triangular, square, or any other polygonal shape (when viewed from aboveor below).

FIG. 2 depicts a cross-sectional view of a non-limiting embodiment of afloatable seal 50 positioned within a container 49, the floatable seal50 having a filter 40 mounted therein. In one or more embodiments, thefloatable seal 50 comprises a filter body 38 comprising a filter opening36 extending therethrough that is sized to receive the filter 40. Thefilter opening 36 may comprise a ring 41 or alternatively may narrow toallow mounting of the filter 40 therein.

As previously referenced, the seal typically comprises a floatable seal50. In the non-limiting embodiment depicted in FIG. 2, the floatableseal 50 comprises a floatable body 38 housing a gas-filled annularchamber 42 therein filled with air or other gas such as, withoutlimitation, helium, hydrogen, oxygen or nitrogen. In one or moreembodiments, the annular chamber surrounds the filter opening 36 of thefloatable seal 50. In other embodiments, the floatable seal 50 comprisesa plurality of chambers comprising any shape that allows the floatableseal 50 to float on the filtered water after the water has passedthrough the filter 40. In particular embodiments, the plurality ofchambers is disposed evenly around the floatable seal 50 to balance thefloating characteristics of the floatable seal 50. In particularembodiments, the annular chamber 42 may comprise pressurized gastherein. In still other embodiments, a floatable material such as foammay replace or be used in combination with one or more chambers on thefloatable seal 50. In particular embodiments, the chamber 42 isairtight.

As depicted in the non-limiting embodiments depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2,the floatable seal 50 may further comprise one or more sealing rings 46extending outward from an outer surface 47 of the floatable seal 50. Inparticular embodiments, the floatable seal 50 comprises one more sealingrings 46 positioned on an upper portion of the outer surface 47 of thefloatable seal 50 and one or more sealing rings 46 positioned on a lowerportion of the outer surface 47 of the floatable seal 50. Even moreparticularly, the one or more rings may be positioned on an annular arm48 extending from the floatable seal 50. In some embodiments, an annulararm 48 extends angularly from the body 38 of the floatable seal, achannel 34 being formed between the annular arm 48 and the body 38 ofthe floatable seal 50. According to one aspect, the floatable seal 50comprises an upper annular arm 48 and a lower annular arm 48, eachannular arm 48 comprising one or more sealing rings 46. According toother aspects, the floatable seal 50 comprises only one of the upper orlower annular arms 48. In one or more embodiments, an annular arm 48 isbiased away from the floatable seal 50. The one or more arms 48 and/orthe rings 46 are configured and positioned on the floatable seal 50 torestrict unfiltered water held above the floatable seal 50 from passingbetween the floatable seal 50 and the wall of the container 49 into thearea of the container below the seal.

As illustrated by FIG. 2, the floatable seal 50 includes a first point,line or surface (collectively “point”) at which the floatable seal 50contacts the side of the pitcher 49, and a second point (point, line orsurface), below the first point, that is more than half the distancebetween the top and the bottom of the floatable seal 50 away from thefirst point that acts as a balance point for the floatable seal 50. Byincluding the seal contact point and a second point vertically offsetfrom the seal that is positioned so that it may contact the sidewall ofthe pitcher, the float is able to maintain its relative orientation inrelation to the pitcher bottom. The second point may be in contact withthe side of the pitcher or sleeve, as with the example in FIG. 2 or theexample in FIGS. 4-7 (balance tabs 22). Alternatively, the second pointmay include a gap between the second point and the pitcher or sleevesidewall so that it is not in constant, direct contact with the sidewall of the pitcher or sleeve but is available to contact the side ifneeded to maintain the relative orientation of the float in relation tothe pitcher bottom, as with the example of FIGS. 20-22, the example ofFIGS. 31-33, and the example of FIGS. 60-62. To reduce friction betweenthe parts of the filter float and its surrounding surfaces, the filterfloat may be constructed so that only the seal contacts the surroundingsurfaces. By including a slight gap, the filter float seal is able tomore readily move up and down, and maintain the orientation of thefilter float in the pitcher if the pitcher is tipped or if the filterfloat is poked or pressure is applied unevenly to the float, such aswater pouring into the cavity and contacting only one side of the float.

As depicted in FIG. 2, the container 49 typically comprises a shapecomplimentary to the shape of the floatable seal 50. For example, in thenon-limiting embodiment depicted in FIG. 2, both the container 49 andthe outer boundary of the seal are substantially cylindrical in shape.In other embodiments, the container 49 may comprise any shapecomplementary to the shape of the floatable seal 50 such that thefloatable seal 50 is slidable within the wall or walls of the container49 and still restricts or in some cases prevents passage of waterbetween the floatable seal and the wall or walls of the container 49.The container 49 is likewise sized to allow sliding of the floatableseal 50 within the container 49 and maintaining the floatable seal 50between the floatable seal 50 and the wall or walls of the container 49.Typically, the walls of the container 49 are substantially vertical orperpendicular to the base of the container 49. Thus, the portion of thecontainer 49 that interfaces with the floatable seal 50 comprises auniform diameter or width that allows for the combination sliding andsealing features described above. According to some aspects, thecylindrical nature of the floatable seal 50 and/or the annular arms 48of the floatable seal 50 discourage the floatable seal 50 from tippingonce the floatable seal 50 is within the container 49.

The floatable seal 50 may be made of any of a variety of materials. Inone or more embodiments, the floatable seal 50 comprises a plastic seal.More particularly, the floatable seal 50 comprises plastic piecessonically welded, adhesively glued, compression fit or otherwise coupledto one another. In particular, non-limiting embodiments, the floatableseal 50 or any floatable seal disclosed herein may comprisepolypropylene, as well as a float overmold comprising a thermoplasticelastomer (TPE) or GLS Versaflex™ CL. The annular arm 48 and/or sealingrings 46 may likewise be plastic or, alternatively, a rubber material.In still other embodiments, the floatable seal 50 comprises a rubber orsilicon seal. The container 49 of this embodiment or any othercontainers, pitchers, cups, and the like disclosed herein may be made ofany of a variety of materials known in the art, such as but not limitedto plastic, metal, wood, glass, rubber, polycarbonate, clear acrylic,and the like. Any of the containers disclosed herein may furthercomprise a pitcher overmold comprising TPE and/or GLS Versaflex™ OM. Inone or more embodiments, the container comprises a spout or strawextending outward from the base of the container 49. Alternatively, thecontainer 49 may comprise an opening at the base of the container 49configured to receive a straw or spout. The container 49 may furthercomprise a plug that plugs the spout or straw during filtration. Throughthe inclusion of a spout or straw opening from the base of the container49, the filtered water may be poured or sucked out of the container 49while unfiltered water is still passing through the filter 40.

In operation, a method of filtering water may utilize embodiments of thefloatable seal 50 and container 49 disclosed herein. The floatable seal50 is typically placed into the container 49. The filter 40 may bemounted or coupled to the floatable seal 50 prior to placing thefloatable seal 50 in the container 49 or after placing the floatableseal 50 in the container 49. The floatable seal 50 may be placed on thebottom of the container 49 when it is empty or, alternatively, placed onfiltered water already present in the container 49. The floatable seal50 is positioned such that a seal is formed between the walls of thecontainer 49 and the floatable seal 50. In such positioning, typicallythe only fluid communication between the area above the floatable seal50 and the area below the floatable seal 50 is through the filter 40.

Once the floatable seal 50 is positioned appropriately in the container49, unfiltered water is poured into the container. The floatable seal 50may be positioned approximately 0.25-1.0 inches above the bottom base ofthe container 49 in particular implementations to provide additionalspace for the initial filtered water to filter prior to the filteredwater starting to float the seal. In some embodiments, a spacercomponent may be coupled to or integrated into the design of thefloatable seal 50 to establish the gap between the floatable seal 50 andthe bottom surface of the base inside of the container 50. In yet otherembodiments, as illustrated in the structure of the floatable seal 50 inFIG. 2, the floatable seal 50 may be placed adjacent to the bottomsurface of the base inside of the container 49 and a gap between thefilter 40 and the bottom of the body 38 floatable seal 50 allowsfiltered water to start to float the floatable seal 50.

The floatable seal 50 and filter hold the unfiltered water in theunfiltered chamber or area above the floatable seal 50 as the unfilteredwater passes through the filter 40. Water passes from the area above thefilter 40 to the area below the floatable seal 50 only through thefilter 40, and not between the floatable seal 50 and walls of thecontainer 49. As the water passes through the filter 40, the floatableseal 50 floats on the filtered water below the floatable seal 50 and isbiased through the water above it to float above that water too, thusincreasing the volume of the area below the floatable seal 50 anddecreasing the volume of the area above the floatable seal 50. Once allthe water above the floatable seal 50 has passed through the floatableseal 50, the floatable seal 50 and filter 40 may be removed from thecontainer 49. In other embodiments, a spout may be included within thecontainer 49 extending from the bottom of the container 49 so that watermay be poured from the container 49 without removal of the floatableseal 50 and filter 40.

According to some aspects, a water filter system may be furtherconfigured to comprise a filter sleeve 20 in addition to a floatableseal 30 and filter 40. In particular, FIG. 3 depicts an exploded view ofa non-limiting embodiment of a water filter system 10 comprising apitcher 2, a filter sleeve 20, a floatable seal 30, and a lid 60. Thefloatable seal 30 and filter 40 may comprise any of the floatable sealsand filters and their characteristics and alternatives as describedelsewhere in this document.

The pitcher 2 may comprise any container known in the art or describedelsewhere in this document and adapted for use with a filter sleeve 20.In one or more embodiments, the pitcher 2 comprises one or more walls 4forming a chamber 7 sized to house the filter sleeve 20 therein, a base6, and a sleeve opening 9 distal the base 6. The sleeve opening 9 issized and configured to allow at least a portion of the filter sleeve 20to pass through the sleeve opening 9. According to some aspects, thepitcher 2 is configured to allow mounting of the filter sleeve 20thereto. The sleeve opening 9 is typically bordered by the rim 8 thatinterfaces with mounting lip 16 on the filter sleeve 20 to mount thefilter sleeve 20 within the sleeve opening 9. More particularly, thepitcher 2 may comprise a rim 8 proximate the filter opening 9. Accordingto some aspects, the rim 8 is formed integral with a pitcher lid 3. Thepitcher lid 3 may be integral with the walls 4 of the pitcher 2 or,alternatively, may be removably coupled to the wall 4 opposite the base6. Additional threading or locking tabs may border the sleeve opening 9for removable coupling of filter sleeve 20 to the pitcher lid 3. Thepitcher may further comprise a spout opening, or pouring lip, extendingat least partially through the pitcher lid 3. In still otherembodiments, the rim 8 may be formed without a pitcher lid 3.

FIGS. 3 and 4 also depict a non-limiting embodiment of a filter sleeve20. The filter sleeve 20 typically comprises a hollow sleeve with afirst or bottom open end 11 and a second or top open end 12 opposite thefirst open end 11 and in fluid communication with the first open end 11.The filter sleeve 20 may comprise a variety of shapes formed by one ormore walls 13 of the filter sleeve 20, such as but not limited to acylindrical sleeve as depicted in FIGS. 3 and 4. In other embodiments,the cross-sectional shape of a filter sleeve may comprise an oval, atriangle, a rectangle, a square, a pentagon, and so on. The filtersleeve 20 is typically shaped complementary to the shape of the sleeveopening 3 in the pitcher 2. In one or more embodiments, the innersurface 18 of the walls 13 of the filter sleeve comprise zero-draftwalls.

As noted above, one aspect of a filter sleeve 20 comprises a mountinglip 16 proximate a second or top end 12 of the of the filter sleeve 20.The mounting lip 16 is positioned on the filter sleeve 20 such that whenthe mounting lip 16 is interfacing or engaging with the rim 8 of thepitcher 2, the bottom or first end 11 of the filter sleeve 20 is not indirect contact with the base 6 of the pitcher 2. That is, a space existsbetween the bottom end 11 of the filter sleeve 20 and the base 6 of thepitcher when the mounting lip 16 is engaged with the rim 8 of thepitcher 2 or otherwise removably coupled to the pitcher lid 3. Themounting lip 16 may extend outward from the outer surface of the one ormore walls 13 of the filter sleeve 20 and may surround the entire outersurface of the filter sleeve 20. In other embodiments, the mounting lip16 comprises a plurality of mounting lips extending outward from theouter surface of the wall 13 of the filter sleeve 20 to hold the filtersleeve 20 suspended within the pitcher 2. The mounting lip 16 istypically sized and positioned to interface with the rim 8 of thepitcher 2. In some embodiments, the filter sleeve 20 may comprisethreading or tabs for engaging with threading or tabs on the pitcher lid3. The mounting lip 16 itself may engage with tabs or threading on thepitcher lid 3.

One or more embodiments of a filter sleeve 20 further comprise sleevethreading or tabs proximate the top end of the sleeve. The threading ortabs proximate the top end 12 of the filter sleeve 20 are typicallyconfigured to engage with threading or tabs on the sleeve lid 60 forremovable coupling of the sleeve lid 60 to the filter sleeve 20.According to one aspect, the threading or tabs of the filter sleeve 20are positioned between the top end 12 of the filter sleeve 20 and themounting lip 16 of the filter sleeve 20.

One or more embodiments of a filter sleeve 20 further comprise a stoplip 14 proximate a first or bottom end 11 of the filter sleeve 20. FIG.4 depicts a cross-sectional view of a non-limiting embodiment of waterfilter system 10, including a filter sleeve 20 comprising a stop lip 14.According to some aspects, the stop lip 14 extends inward from an innersurface 18 of the one or more walls 13 of the filter sleeve 20. The stoplip 14 is sized to engage with the floatable seal 30 and restrict thefloatable seal 30 from sliding from the filter sleeve 20 into thepitcher 2.

The inner surface 18 of the wall(s) 13 of the filter sleeve 20 aretypically smooth between the top end 12 and the stop lip 14 of thefilter sleeve 20 to allow sliding of the floatable seal 30 between thetop end 12 and the bottom end 11 of the filter sleeve 20. In one or moreembodiments, the inner surface 18 of the filter sleeve 20 may comprisetracks configured to align with slots on the floatable seal 30. Thefilter sleeve 20 and the water pitcher 2 are formed separately and laterassembled.

FIGS. 5 and 6 depict a non-limiting embodiment of a floatable seal 30.The floatable seal 30 is configured to slide within in the filter sleeve20 between the top end 12 and the bottom end 11. More particularly, thefloatable seal 30 is configured to float on water within the pitcher 2and rise within the filter sleeve 20 above the bottom end 11 of thefilter sleeve 20 when the water level within the pitcher 2 is above thebottom end 11 of the filter sleeve 20. The floatable seal 30 is alsoconfigured to removably couple or mount to a water filter 40. When awater filter 40 is mounted to the floatable seal 30, the floatable seal30 is positioned within the filter sleeve 20, and water is held withinthe filter sleeve 20 above the floatable seal 30, the floatable seal 30is configured to restrict water from passing between the outer surface23 of the floatable seal 30 and the inner surface 18 of the walls 13 ofthe filter sleeve 20. Instead, the floatable seal 30 is configured toallow water to only pass from the filter sleeve 20 to the pitcher 2through the water filter 40.

The floatable seal 30 is typically shaped complimentary to the shape ofthe filter sleeve 20. For example, in the non-limiting embodimentdepicted in FIGS. 3 and 4, the floatable seal 30 is substantiallycylindrical in shape to complement the cylindrical channel of the filtersleeve 20. In one or more embodiments, the floatable seal 30 comprises aplurality of balance tabs 22 positioned on an outer surface 23 of thefloatable seal 30. The plurality of balance tabs 22 are sized tointerface with the inner surface 18 of the wall 13 of the filter sleeve20. The balance tabs 22, like other second contact points in otherembodiments, discourage the floatable seal from tipping or wobblingwithin the filter sleeve 20, while also decreasing the amount of surfacearea of the floatable seal 30 in contact with an inner surface 18 of thefilter sleeve 20. Decreasing the surface area in contact with the innersurface 18 of the filter sleeve 20 reduces the friction between thefloatable filter 30 and the filter sleeve 20, thus allowing for easiersliding motion of the floatable filter 30 within the filter sleeve 20.The floatable seal 30 may further comprise a concave portion between thetop and bottom of the floatable seal 30, for example and withoutlimitation, as illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6.

The floatable seal typically further comprises a sealing ring 24 sizedand positioned to interface with the inner surface 18 of the wall 13 ofthe filter sleeve 20. In the non-limiting embodiment shown in FIGS. 5and 6, the sealing ring 24 is proximate a top of the floatable seal. Inother embodiments, the sealing ring 24 may be positioned elsewhere onthe floatable seal 30, such as but not limited to a bottom portion or acentral portion. FIG. 6 depicts a cross-sectional view of a floatableseal 30 having a sealing ring 24. According to some aspects, the sealingring 24 comprises a rubber seal either fixedly or removably coupled tothe floatable seal 30. In some embodiments, the sealing ring 24 isover-molded to the floatable seal 30. The sealing ring 24 is configuredto restrict water from passing between the outer surface 23 of thefloatable seal 30 and the inner surface 18 of the wall 13 of the filtersleeve 20. The sealing ring 24 is also configured to allow the floatableseal 30 to slide within the filter sleeve 20 while simultaneouslyrestricting the passage of water between the outer surface 23 of thefloatable seal 30 and the inner surface 18 of the walls 13 of the filtersleeve 20. According to some aspects, the floatable seal comprises aplurality of sealing rings 24. The sealing ring 24 may comprise arubber, plastic, or any other suitable material.

Aspects of the floatable seal 30 may further comprise any of the otherelements of a floatable seal described elsewhere in this documentrelating to other embodiments of a floatable seal. For example, thefloatable seal 30 may comprise a filter opening 28 and ledge or lip forcoupling and mounting of the filter 40 to the filter opening 28.According to some aspects, the floatable seal 30 may comprise anover-molded seal positioned on the lip around the filter opening 28. Theover-molded seal is configured to restrict water from seeping betweenthe filter 40 and the floatable seal 30. In other aspects, the filter 40may be threadedly coupled to the floatable seal 30. In still otherembodiments, the floatable seal 30 may comprise a textured, ribbed, orother non-planar surface, particularly at the lip adjacent the filteropening 28. The filter 30 may comprise complementary texturing, ribbing,or other non-planar surfacing to form a seal between the filter 40 andthe floatable seal. In these or other embodiments, the filter 40 maysnap-fit to the floatable seal 30.

Additionally, as the floatable seal 30 is configured to float on water,the floatable seal 30 may comprise any of the configurations ormaterials described elsewhere in this document that allow the floatableseal to float on water, such as but not limited to a gas-filled chamber25. In any of the embodiments described herein, the floatable seal 30may be configured such that the filter 40 is offset or not planar withthe bottom of the floatable seal 30. In this way, the filter 40 staysout of the filtered water below the floatable seal 30.

In operation, the floatable seal 30 and filter 40 may rest anywherewithin the filter sleeve 20 when no water is held within the filtersleeve 20 above the floatable seal 30 and filter 40. According to someembodiments, the floatable seal 30 and filter 40 rest on either thewater within the pitcher 2 or the stop lip 14, whichever is lower, whenno water is held within the filter sleeve 20 above the floatable seal 30and filter 40. As water is added to the filter sleeve 20 above thefloatable seal 30 and filter 40, water begins to pass from the filtersleeve 20 to the pitcher 2 only through the filter 40. As water passesfrom the filter sleeve 20 to the container through the filter 40, thewater level within the pitcher 2 rises and the floatable seal 30 floatson the water within the pitcher 2 and filter sleeve 20. Thus, thefloatable seal 30 rises within the filter sleeve 20 as the water in thepitcher 2 rises.

Embodiments of the floatable seal systems contemplated as part of thisdisclosure are configured to filter water at various rates. For example,some of the filters 40 are configured to filter approximately ½ toapproximately 3 cups of water per minute. More particularly, some of thefilters 40 are configured to filter approximately 1 to 3 cups of waterper minute. Even more particularly, some of the filters 40 areconfigured to filter approximately 1 cup of water per minute.

As depicted in the non-limiting embodiment of FIG. 3, variousembodiments of a water filter system further comprise a sleeve lid 60.The sleeve lid 60 is typically configured to removably couple to eitherthe container lid 3 or the filter sleeve 20. In the non-limitingembodiment of FIG. 3, the sleeve lid 60 is configured to removably andthreadedly couple to the filter sleeve 20. According to someembodiments, the filter sleeve 20 further comprises one or more openings56 and a funnel-shaped portion 58 that allow a user to insert water intothe filter sleeve 20 without removing the sleeve lid 60. The one or moreopenings may covered by a biased flap, as depicted in the non-limitingembodiment of FIG. 10.

FIG. 7 depicts other non-limiting embodiments of a sleeve lid 62,floatable seal 30, and a filter sleeve 64. While in the non-limitingembodiment of FIG. 3 the sleeve lid 60 threadedly couples with an outersurface of the filter sleeve 20, in the non-limiting embodiment of FIG.5, the sleeve lid 62 is configured to threadedly couple to the interiorsurface 65 of the filter sleeve 64. For example, the floatable seal 30may be inserted into the filter sleeve 64, and then a threaded portion78 at an open first or top end 74 of the lid 62 may be threadedlycoupled to a threaded portion 76 on the interior surface 65 of thefilter sleeve 64.

Some embodiments, such as the embodiment depicted in FIG. 7, comprise afilter sleeve 64 configured to removably couple to another apparatus,such as but not limited to a water bowl for a pet. For example, an opensecond or bottom end 72 of the filter sleeve 64 may removably couple toa pet dish. In operation, the floatable seal 30 and filter sleeve 64 maybe configured similar to and work similar to those described elsewherein this document.

According to some embodiments, a sleeve lid comprises a funnel shapedportion and a plurality of small holes at the base of the funnel shapedportion. This configuration allow for water to be more easily insertedinto the filter sleeve. According to some aspects, the center portion ofthe filter cap is movable between to positions to either open or closethe plurality of small holes. FIGS. 8A and 8B depict anothernon-limiting embodiment of a sleeve lid 80. In this particularembodiment, the sleeve lid 80 comprises a funnel-shaped portion 86. Thisparticular embodiment further comprises a knob 82 on the sleeve lid 80that is movable between two positions. When the knob 82 is pulled up toa first position (shown in FIG. 8A), water is allowed to pass throughthe sleeve lid 80. When the knob 82 is pushed down to a second position(shown in FIG. 8B), water is restricted from passing through the sleevelid 80. When the knob 82 is pushed down and the rotated, the sleeve lid80 may be removed. The sleeve lid 80 may be adapted for use with any ofthe water filter systems described in this document.

FIGS. 9A and 9B depict another non-limiting embodiment of a sleeve lid100. In this particular embodiment, the sleeve lid 100 comprises aslider piece 102. The slider piece 102 is configured to cover the spoutexit of the pitcher when the opening 104 on the sleeve lid 100 isuncovered to allow unfiltered water to enter the filter sleeve 20. Whenthe slider piece 102 is slide to cover the opening 104, the spout exitis uncovered to allow filtered water to be poured from the container toa cup through the spout. The sleeve lid 100 may further comprise adepression that may be used to rotate the sleeve lid 100 from a lockedto an unlocked position. The sleeve lid 100 may be adapted for use withany of the water filter systems described in this document.

FIGS. 10A and 10B depict another non-limiting embodiment of a sleeve lid90. In this non-limiting embodiment, the filter lid 90 comprises afunnel shaped portion 96. At the base of the funnel shaped portion 96 isa biased flap 92. The biased flap 92 closes an opening 94 in the filterlid 90 unless a force is exerted on the biased flap 92. When water froma faucet comes in contact with the biased flap 92, the force istypically strong enough to push the biased flap 92 down to uncover theopening 94 and allow water to enter the filter sleeve 20. The filter lid90 may further comprise raised nubs to allow a user to screw on and offthe lid 90. The sleeve lid 90 may be adapted for use with any of thewater filter systems described in this document.

FIGS. 11A and 11 B depict a non-limiting embodiment of a floatable seal110 and filter 120 according to one aspect of a water filter system. Inone or more embodiments, a floatable seal 110 comprises a protruding tab114 on the filter opening 112 that acts as a key to properly align withand lock the filter 120 into place. The filter 120 may comprisecomplementary positioned slots 122 sized to engage with the protrudingtabs 114 on the filter opening 112. According to some aspects, thefloatable seal 110 further comprises an angled edge 118 surrounding thefilter opening 112. In such embodiment, the filter 120 typicallyincludes an angled edge 124 complementary to the angled edge 118 of thefloatable filter 110 such that the two angled edges 118, 124 interfacewith one another with the filter 120 is mounted to the floatable seal110. The floatable seal 110 may comprise aspects of any other floatableseals disclosed herein. The floatable seal 110 and filter 120 may beadapted for use with any water filter systems contemplated in thisdisclosure.

FIGS. 12A and 12B depict additional non-limiting embodiments of afloatable seal 140 and a filter 130. According to some aspects, thefloatable seal 140 comprises a protruding tab 134 extending into thefilter opening 142 and the filter 130 comprises a slot 132. The slot 132is configured such that the filter 130 is locked in to place by aligningthe slot 132 with the protruding tab 134, pressing down, and thenrotating the filter 130. The floatable seal 140 may comprise aspects ofany other floatable seals disclosed herein. The floatable seal 140 andfilter 130 may be adapted for use with any water filter systemscontemplated in this disclosure.

Referring now to FIG. 13, there is shown a perspective view of anotherexemplary embodiment of a portable water filtration system generallyshown as water pitcher 200. A top view of pitcher 200 is shown in FIG.14, a front view in FIG. 15, a side view in FIG. 16, an end view in FIG.17 and another side view in FIG. 18. Pitcher 200 is seen to comprise awater container 202 formed by a generally cylindrical sidewall 204 and abase 206 together forming a cavity 208 therein as shown in FIG. 19 withthe lid 212 removed. The pitcher has a handle 210 and a pivotable lid212. A fill opening 214 is formed in the lid 212 and is shown tocomprise a deflectable flap 216 disposed over the opening 214. The flap216 is configured to selectively allow water to be poured throughopening 214 to fill the pitcher 200 with unfiltered water and preventsplashing of the filtered water out of the container. The pitcher has apour lip 218 at an upper portion of the sidewall 204 proximate an upperrim 220 of the pitcher. The pour lip 218 is configured to dispensefiltered water via a channel (or spout) 222 formed in the sidewall 204,between an outer wall 243 and an inner wall 244, inside cavity 208 asshown in FIG. 20, the channel 222 extending from the upper rim 220 tothe cavity 208 proximate the base 206 of the pitcher 200. As shown inFIG. 22, the channel 222 may be in fluid communication with the cavity208 through a passageway 249. According to some embodiments, thepassageway 249 may be defined by a terminal end 245 of the inner wall244, which may be spaced above the base 206 by a distance 246. As thefloatable body 230 approaches the base 206, the passageway 249 mayreduce in size. In some embodiments, the seal 250 of the floatable body230 is located above the terminal end 245 when the floatable body 230 isat the lowest accessible point within the cavity 208.

Although the non-limiting pitcher example illustrated in FIGS. 13-19includes a generally cylindrical sidewall, it should be understood thatother sidewall shapes may alternatively be used provided acorrespondingly shaped floatable body is used. For example, it isspecifically contemplated that instead of a circular cross-section ofthe cylindrical sidewall, an oval cross-section, an ellipticalcross-section, an arch-shaped cross-section, or square or rectangularcross-section may be used.

Referring now to FIGS. 20, 21 and 22, there are shown cross sectionalviews of the pitcher 200 taken along a cross section A-A as shown inFIG. 17 for various levels of filtered water within the pitcher 200.FIG. 20 shows a floatable body 230 comprising a housing 231 including acentrally located filter adapter opening 232 receiving aninterchangeable water filter 234. The floatable body 230 resides at thebottom of the cavity 208 when there is no water in the cavity 208, andwhen unfiltered water is initially poured into the pitcher 200. Thefloatable body 231 member has a generally annular shape, like a donut,having a gas-filled cavity 236 providing buoyancy to the floatable body230.

FIG. 21 illustrates the floatable body 230 at a midsection of cavity 208as gravity causes water to filter from an upper portion 238 of cavity208 holding unfiltered water to a lower portion 240 of the cavity 208holding filtered water. The floatable body 230 rises in the cavity 208as the amount of filtered water in lower portion 240 increases and theamount of unfiltered water in the upper portion 238 decreases. Accordingto various embodiments, the floatable body 230 has a planar bottomsurface 241 that is maintained parallel to a planar bottom surface 242of the pitcher base 206 as it moves up and down within the pitcher.

FIG. 22 illustrates the floatable body 230 at the top of the cavity 208when unfiltered water in the upper portion 238 has completely filteredinto the lower portion 240. FIGS. 20-22 illustrate the water level offiltered water in the spout (or channel) 222 during the filteringprocess. According to various embodiments, the channel 222 extends froman inlet opening 247 to an exit opening 248, which may be proximate thepour lip 218.

An annular seal 250 is disposed about a periphery of floatable bodymember 231, and provides a liquid seal between the floatable body member231 and an inner wall 252 of the sidewall 204 in all positions of thefloatable body 230. In an alternative embodiment, the seal 250 may beover molded on the floatable body 230, and would have an acceptabledurometer range. An acceptable durometer range includes a durometermeasurement of between 30 and 90. In particular embodiments, a durometermeasurement of 50 to 70 was determined acceptable, and an optimaldurometer measurement of 55 to 65, and in particular embodiments adurometer measurement of 60 has been determined to be critical for thematerials used. According to various embodiments, seal 250 may becomposed of, rubber silicone, Teflon, or any other material known in theart, of appropriate durometer hardness.

FIG. 23 illustrates an enlarged view of a non-limiting embodiment of theseal and its engagement with inner wall interface at section A of FIG.20. Advantageously, the seal 250 creates friction with the inner wall252 that is greater when the floatable body 230 rises in cavity 208, andwhich friction is less when the floatable body 230 is lowered in thecavity 208, such as during initial insertion into an empty pitcher 200,and also when the floatable body 230 auto-retracts toward bottom 206(e.g. away from exit opening 248) during dispensing of filtered watervia the channel (or spout) 222 and pour lip 218 when tipped, as shown inFIGS. 31, 32 and 33. In some embodiments, the friction generated as thefloatable body 230 rises is at least two times the friction generated asthe floatable body 230 lowers. In other embodiments, the frictiongenerated during rising is up to six (6) times the friction generatedduring the lowering of the floatable body 230.

In one exemplary embodiment, the seal 250 is comprised of an annulary-ring or a u-ring, both shapes also referred to herein as a y-seal, asshown in FIG. 23 through FIG. 36. The y-seal 250 has an outwardlyextending distal tapered tip 254 that is biased outwardly against theinner wall 252 when the floatable body 230 is initially disposed in thecavity 208 of pitcher 200 to provide a liquid seal. The y-seal 250 isresiliently biased outward to a rest position wherein the tapered tip254 extending outward of the radius of the floatable body 230. By havinga first portion of the y-seal 250 recessed into a side of the floatablebody 230 while a second portion of the seal, including the tapered tip254, extending outward of the radius of the floatable body in its restposition, the tapered tip 254 exerts pressure against the inner wall 252of the pitcher to create a seal to resist against unfiltered waterpassing the floatable body 230 except through the filter 234. Thisconfiguration also provides a more consistent friction force against theinner wall 252 to adapt for inconsistencies in the topography of theinner wall 252 surface, and even for angled inner wall 252 surfacesbecoming wider between the bottom of the pitcher 206 and the top of thepitcher.

As shown in FIG. 23, the tip 254 extends generally horizontal from anupwardly extending arm 256 of seal 250, and may be distended slightlyupward while engaging the inner wall 252. The seal 250 has a narrowedhinge portion 258 that allows the seal portion (i.e. a second portion)including tip 254 to bend thereat and facilitate the tip 254 beingdistended upwardly and downwardly. The seal 250 has an upwardlyextending portion 260 (i.e. a first portion) that is parallel to, andthicker than, the arm 256 and also has a midsection bridge 262connecting the arm 256 to the portion 260. The seal 250 is configured tobe securely disposed in an annular recess 270 of floatable body member231, as shown in FIG. 26. By using a y-shaped seal as opposed to acommon round seal, the friction between the tip 254 and the inner wall252 may vary depending on the direction of movement while maintaining afluid seal that can adapt for inconsistencies in the inner wall 252surface. Furthermore, the tip 254 of seal 250 may also clean the surfaceof the inner wall 252 as it moves up and down, reducing mineral build-upwhich normally occurs and which may cause accelerated wear on thepitcher 200.

In one exemplary embodiment, the bottom side 299 (FIG. 21) of thefloatable body is open and not enclosed by a bottom member. Thisconfiguration with floatable body 230 sides and top and filter adapteropening 232 still includes the chamber 236 within the side wall(s) ofthe floatable body 230 so that the gas is trapped below the top surfaceof the floatable body 230 to create buoyancy, but the bottom side 300 isremoved to leave it open. This may simplify manufacture of the floatablebody 230 in some instances, and reduce the weight of the floatable body.Although the particular embodiments illustrated in the various figuresincluded in this disclosure each show a bottom side of the variousembodiments, it should be understood that this bottom side is optionalfor particular embodiments and that the Figures should be understood torepresent the floatable body both with and without the bottom side asany of the embodiments may be manufactured without the bottom side ofthe floatable body.

As previously discussed, FIG. 23 shows an enlarged view of section A ofFIG. 20, illustrating the tip 254 distended slightly upward (i.e. tip254 engages the sidewall at a first angle with respect to floatable body230) as a consequence of the floatable body 230 is pushed (either by apressure differential or manually) downward. FIG. 24 shows an enlargedview of section B of FIG. 21, illustrating the tip 254 distendedslightly downward (i.e. tip 254 engages the inner wall 252 at a secondangle with respect to floatable body 230) as the floatable body 230floats upwardly. FIG. 25 shows an enlarged view of section C of FIG. 22,which also shows the tip 254 distended slightly downward as thefloatable body 230 floats upwardly. When the tip 254 is distendedslightly downward, the friction created between the tip 254 and theinner wall 252 is greater than when the tip 254 is distended slightlyupward, as previously discussed. According to various embodiments, theangle at which the tip 254 engages the inner wall 252 is able to varybetween a first slightly downward angle and a second slightly upwardangle while maintaining a fluid seal because the hinge portion 258grants the arm 256 and tip 254 a range of movement that includes theconfiguration of when just the end of the tip 254 engages the inner wall252 (e.g. the point when the arm 256 is furthest from the inner wall252) and when tip 254 is angled and has maximum engagement with theinner wall 252 (e.g. the point when the arm 256 is closest to the innerwall 252).

FIG. 26 shows an exploded view of the seal 250 and the floatable bodymember 231. Annular recess 270 is defined in the upper portion of themember 231 having an annular upper lip 272 and accommodates the y-seal250. The recess 270 may have a variety of shapes. The width of therecess 270 is the same as the width of the seal 250, as shown in FIG.23, and is held in place in a friction fit arrangement. FIG. 27 shows aside view of the seal 250, FIG. 28 shows a top view of the seal 250,FIG. 29 shows a bottom view of seal 250, and FIG. 30 shows across-sectional view of seal 250 taken along B-B in FIG. 27.

Referring to FIGS. 31, 32 and 33, there is shown the dispensing offiltered water from the lower portion 240 of cavity 208 via spout (orchannel) 222 and pour lip 218. FIG. 31 illustrates pitcher 200 full offiltered water where the floatable body 230 is at the top of the cavity208, as shown in FIG. 22. Pitcher 200 may be considered to be in a stateof equilibrium while in the configuration shown in FIG. 22, meaning theforce of gravity acting on floatable body 230 is balanced with the forcedue to the buoyancy of floatable body 230 (e.g. the force due to apressure differential between the top and bottom of floatable body 230)and the friction of the y-seal 250 against the inner wall 252, and theatmospheric pressure exerted on the floatable body 230 is balanced withthe atmospheric pressure exerted on the surface of the filtered waterwithin channel 222. FIG. 31 illustrates pitcher 200 about to leave thestate of equilibrium due to being tipped. In the context of the presentdescription and the claims that follow, a pressure differentialexperienced by the floatable body refers to a difference in pressures,such as fluid (e.g. water, air, etc.) pressure, being exerted on thefloatable body on either side of the seal 250 (e.g. above the seal vs.below the seal).

As the filtered water dispenses from the pitcher 200, the pressureexerted on the exposed surface of the filtered water within spout 222 isreduced as gravity pulls the water towards pour lip 218. See FIG. 32.The consequences of this reduction in pressure within spout (or channel)222 may be discussed using Pascal's Law, since lower portion 240 ofcavity 208 is essentially a confined system (e.g. a liquid seal ismaintained between lower and upper portions of cavity 208, fluidmovement through water filter 234 is slow enough compared to otherequilibrium-seeking mechanisms as to not play a meaningful role, etc.),discounting channel 222 whose pressure we are holding as fixed, yetreduced. Pascal's Law states that a pressure change occurring anywherein a confined incompressible fluid is transmitted throughout the fluidsuch that the same change occurs everywhere. In other words, the reducedfluid pressure at the exposed surface of the filtered water withinchannel (or spout) 222 is also experienced across the fluid interfacewith the bottom of the floatable body 230. The difference between thisreduced pressure on one side of the floatable body 230 and theatmospheric pressure on the other side results in a non-zero netpressure being exerted on floatable body 230.

According to various embodiments, the cross sectional area of spout 222is much smaller than the surface area of the bottom of floatable body230, resulting in a hydraulic advantage (e.g. a small pressuredifferential in spout 222 can elicit a large force exerted on floatablebody 230.) Advantageously, before the reduced fluid pressure withinspout 222 can drop to the point where atmosphere is “gulped” up into thelower portion 240 of cavity 208 through the spout 222, the resultingforce exerted on floatable body 230 is sufficient to pull it toward thebottom of the pitcher along with the shrinking supply of filtered water.More specifically, the lower friction arrangement of the y-seal 250 withthe inner wall 252 allows the floatable body 230 to smoothly and quicklyretract, or “auto-retract”, allowing a significant pour rate, and alsowithout any introduction of air bubbles or unfiltered water. As thefloatable body 230 moves towards the bottom of the pitcher (e.g. awayfrom the upper opening 314), the system is seeking to reach and maintainequilibrium once again. Equilibrium will be maintained when the pouringis halted or the filtered water runs out and the floatable body 230reaches the bottom of the pitcher. See FIG. 33. The quickauto-retraction of floatable body 230 to the bottom of the pitcherfacilitates quick and effortless refilling of the pitcher, withoutrequiring the manual repositioning of the floatable body 230 to maximizespace for unfiltered water.

By creating a pressure differential across the water filter 234 throughthe water in the pitcher 200 leaving the lower portion 240 of thepitcher cavity near the bottom of the pitcher cavity through the spout(or channel) 222 heading toward the pour lip 218 and the air within theupper portion 238 not able to pass through the filter fast enough tocompensate, the float 230 is drawn toward the lower pressure of thesystem near the bottom of the pitcher 200. Note that in FIG. 32, thefloat 230 moves toward the bottom 206 of the pitcher 200 even when thepitcher 200 is turned to pour the water out and gravity would ordinarilycause the float 230 to slide toward the top of the pitcher 200. Bycreating a hydraulic lock between the float 230 and the water throughcreating lower pressure in the lower portion 240 of the pitcher cavitythan in the upper portion 238 of the cavity 240, the float 230 moves tostay even with the water.

Controlling friction within a floatable filter pitcher system is noteasy and is one of the main factors, along with the pressuredifferential, the filter media, the buoyancy of the float, the filterhole size and the weight of the float, that determines whether thesystem will work or not. Too much friction or too much weight inrelation to the buoyancy of the float, and the water above the filterfloat will not be able to rise or will not rise fast enough toeffectively filter the water. By trapping air below the float, buoyancyis increased. Yet, the liquid seal needs to maintain sufficient contactwith the sides of the pitcher to act as a barrier to water passing fromthe upper portion to the lower portion other than through the filter.Without the pressure differential, the water would leave the spout 222of the pitcher and the float would remain at the top of the pitcher andwould not be ready to filter another portion of water added above it.

In particular embodiments, for a 10 cup pitcher, a rise time of 3-10minutes is desirable and how quickly it rises will practically dependprimarily upon what type of contaminants a user wants to remove from thewater. For example, it has been found that for Chlorine removal only, arise time of 50-200 seconds is practical. For other contaminants, suchas heavy metals, benzene and atrazine, a rise time of 200-1200 secondsis practical.

It is important that a liquid seal is maintained to separate unfilteredwater from the filtered water in all positions, during filling andduring dispensing, even when tipped which can cause uneven forces. Thevarying friction arrangement of y-seal 250 solves this designconsideration. FIG. 34 shows an enlarged view D shown in FIG. 31, wherethe y-seal 250 with tip 254 distended slightly downward and creating alarger friction. As the pitcher 200 is tipped, the seal 250 switches tobeing distended slightly upward, as shown in FIG. 35 showing an enlargedview E shown in FIG. 32. When the filtered water is completely dispensedfrom the cavity 208, the seal 250 remains being distended slightlyupward, as shown in FIG. 36 showing enlarged view F shown in FIG. 33.

Referring to FIG. 37, there is shown a perspective view of floatablebody 230 comprising floatable body member 231 securingly receiving thewater filter 234 and forming a liquid seal. Filter 234 can include anycommercial filtration media. FIG. 38 illustrates a front side view ofthe floatable body 230, FIG. 39 illustrates a left side view of thefloatable body 230, FIG. 40 illustrates a right side view of thefloatable body 230, FIG. 41 illustrates a back side view of thefloatable body 230, FIG. 42 illustrates a top view of the floatable body230, and FIG. 43 illustrates a bottom view of the floatable body 230.FIG. 44 illustrates a cross-sectional view of floatable body 230 takenalong lines C-C as shown in FIG. 38. As shown in FIG. 43, a bottom 280of filter 234 has a plurality of openings 282 allowing filtered water topass into the bottom portion 240 of the cavity 208. A bottom 284 of thefloatable body member 231 has one more recesses, shown as four radiallyextending recesses 286 extending from the filter bottom 280 to aperiphery of the floatable body member 231. The recesses 286 providefluid paths from the openings 282 underneath the floatable body member231 and along the pitcher bottom 206 to reduce suction when thefloatable body member 231 rests on the pitcher bottom 206. Inembodiments where the bottom side 284 of the floatable body is notincluded, as discussed previously, the channel 286 may be represented asa recess in the side wall of the floatable body member 23 at the edge ofthe floatable body member 231 as illustrated in FIGS. 38-41, theremaining surrounding edge providing a stand-off from the bottom of thebottom of the pitcher when the floatable body 230 is positioned at thebottom of the pitcher. The channel 286 would also be reflected in itsextending through the sides of the bottom of the filter adapter opening232. By including raised portions along the bottom edges of thefloatable body 230, there is not any continuous surface that sits on thebottom of the pitcher to create a vacuum or a pressure-lock. The watercan thereby flow more freely and the floatable member 230 can move morereadily without the additional complications of nowhere for the initialwater to flow when it seeps through the filter 234. In the embodiment ofFIG. 43, this configuration would result in four stand-off legs aroundthe bottom edge of the floatable body member 231 and four stand-off legsaround the bottom edge of the filter adapter opening, each leg separatedfrom the others by a gap or channel therebetween. Any number, one ormore, of stand-off legs may be used, having at least one gaptherebetween to reduce the likelihood of a vacuum or pressure lock beingformed on the bottom of the floatable body 230 when immediately adjacentto the bottom of the pitcher.

As previously stated, filter 234 may include any commercial filtrationmedia, according to various embodiments. The greater the level offiltration, the more difficult it may be to move liquid through thefilter. It may be desirable to provide the end user with a uniformexperience (e.g. time required to filter a new pitcher of water, etc.),independent of which type of filter is being used. In some embodiments,the size and/or number of openings 282 on the bottom of filter 234 maybe modified commensurate with the flow rate per unit volume of theselected filtration media at the water pressures generated by thebuoyancy of the floatable body 230, to make filtration time uniform fordifferent filtration media.

Referring now to FIG. 45, there is shown an exploded view of thefloatable body 230 including the filter 234 and the floatable bodymember 231. The filter adapter opening 232 is shown to have a twisted,contoured inner surface 290 corresponding to a twisted, contoured outersurface 292 of the filter 234. As illustrated in FIG. 46, the filter 234is securely received in filter adapter opening 232 by inserting thefilter and slightly twisting the filter, creating a liquid seal betweenthe filter and the opening 232 once completely seated in the filteradapter opening 232. The filter 234 has a generally rectangular shape,but has smoothed and/or rounded corners as shown. The filter 234 has aplurality of radially extending intake openings 294 configured to drawunfiltered water from the upper portion 240 of cavity 208 into thefilter for filtering by the filter media (not shown). Filtered water isdispensed from the filter 234 via openings 282 into the lower portion240 of the cavity 208. The rotational arrow above the filter 234indicates the direction of rotation for removing the filter 234 from thefloatable body member 231.

Referring to FIG. 47, there is shown a perspective view of filter 234.FIG. 48 shows a front view of filter 234, FIG. 49 shows a left side viewof filter 234, FIG. 50 shows a right side view of filter 234, FIG. 51shows a back side view of filter 234, FIG. 52 shows a top view of filter234, FIG. 53 shows a bottom view of filter 234, and FIG. 54 shows a sideperspective view of filter 234. As previously discussed with respect toFIG. 45, the filter 234 is generally rectangular but has curved edgesthat are twisted and contoured such that the filter 234 and whichconform to the opposing twisted and contoured inner wall 290 offloatable body member 231. The outer surface of filter 234 is smoothabout its circumference, such that the filter 234 twists about 20degrees as it is received in the floatable body member 231. Thiscontouring helps lock the filter 234 in place, and also provide a liquidseal between the filter 234 and the inner wall 290. The upper end offilter 234 is flared outwardly to form an annular surface 296. Surface296 is angled, and conforms to an angled surface 298 formed about filteropening 232, as shown in FIG. 45.

Referring back to FIG. 44 in view of FIG. 20, the floatable body 230 hasa height h that is about ⅓ the overall height H of cavity 208 (FIG. 20),where H=3h. The volume of the gas-filled chamber 236 is engineered totake into account the weight of floatable body member 231, the seal 250,and the filter 234 such that the floatable body member 230 has abuoyancy configured to raise the floatable body member at the same ratethat water is filtered through the filter. For instance, the buoyancy isconfigured such that the floatable body 230 rises from the bottom to thetop of cavity 208 in about 8 minutes, which rise time matches the timeto filter the volume of unfiltered water in the configuration shown. Inother embodiments, the height h of the floatable body may be as low as ⅛H, and may be as high as ½ H. The ratio of the floatable body 230 volumeto the cavity 208 volume is about the same ratio which can vary between1:2 and 1:8.

Referring now to FIG. 55, there is shown a perspective exploded view ofanother exemplary embodiment of a portable water filtration systemgenerally shown as water pitcher 300. A top view of pitcher 300 is shownin FIG. 56, a front view in FIG. 57, a side view in FIG. 58, and an endview in FIG. 59.

The pitcher 300 is seen to comprise a container (e.g. a pitcher 302, atumbler, etc.), a removable sleeve 304, a floatable body 230, and aremovable lid 326. It should be noted that while the non-limitingexample shown in FIGS. 55-59 differs from embodiments shown in otherfigures (e.g. extruded oval vs. cylindrical in shape, etc.), elements ofpitcher 300 and the principles applied in its use and function may beinterchanged with those of any other embodiments disclosed herein, andvice versa. Specifically, pitcher components, seals, floats, filters,materials, and the like may be interchanged between each of the variouspitcher embodiments discussed elsewhere herein by matching shapes andsizes. One of ordinary skill in the art will understand that theprinciples applied for all of the pitcher embodiments are related sothat the components and operations may be interchanged. Furthermore,aspects of previously discussed elements may be interchanged as well. Asa specific example, the movable tapered tip 254 and arm 256 of FIGS.23-25 may be employed in the seal of pitcher 300 in a manner that doesnot use the specific u-seal or y-seal embodiments illustrated (e.g.bridge 262 may be affixed to a horizontal surface of floatable body 230,or a standard o-ring seal may be used, etc.).

As shown in FIG. 55, pitcher (or container) 302 is formed by one or morepitcher sidewalls 308, an upper end 306 at the top, and a pitcher base311 at the bottom, together forming a cavity or a first cavity 312,according to various embodiments. In some embodiments, the pitcher base311 may have a planar bottom surface 352. The pitcher 302 furthercomprises a handle 210 and a pour lip 218 integral to the upper end 306of the pitcher 302. In some embodiments, the upper end 306 of thepitcher 302 may refer to the opening of the pitcher 302. Although thenon-limiting pitcher example illustrated in FIGS. 55-59 includes apitcher 302 with an oval or race-track cross-section, it should beunderstood that other pitcher 302 shapes may alternatively be usedprovided a correspondingly shaped floatable body 230 and sleeve 304 isused. For example, it is specifically contemplated that instead of anoval cross-section of the cylindrical sidewall, an ellipticalcross-section, an arch-shaped cross-section, or square or rectangularcross-section may be used.

The non-limiting example of a pitcher 300 shown in FIG. 55 furthercomprises a sleeve 304. According to various embodiments, the sleeve 304interfaces with the seal 250 of the floatable body 230 to separatefiltered water from unfiltered water. The use of a sleeve 304 inside acontainer (e.g. pitcher 302) is advantageous, in that it permits anefficient and consistent manufacturing process, and facilitates theincorporation of a floatable body 230 into a pitcher 300 having a morestylistic or irregular outer surface without compromising the fluid sealused at the interaction between the sleeve 304 and the float 232. Asshown in FIG. 55, sleeve 304 may be removable, for cleaning or otherconvenience, while in other embodiments sleeve 304 may be permanentlyattached to pitcher 302.

As shown, sleeve 304 is formed by one or more sleeve sidewalls 316, anupper opening (or top open end) 314 at the top, and a lower end (orbottom open end) 320 at the bottom, together forming a second cavity322, according to various embodiments. In some embodiments, the sleeve304 may also have a planar or substantially planar bottom surface 354.In the context of the present description and the claims that follow, alower end 320 of the sleeve 304 refers to a portion of the sleeve 304opposite the upper opening 314. As shown, the sleeve 304 furthercomprises a lower opening 318 in the lower end 320, to allow filteredwater to exit the sleeve 304 toward the pour lip 218. In someembodiments, including the non-limiting example shown in FIG. 55, thesleeve 304 may comprise a closed bottom, and the lower opening may be inone or more of the sleeve sidewalls 316. In other embodiments, the oneor more sleeve sidewalls 316 may bend inward in the bottom open end (orlower end) 320 of the sleeve, forming a lip (see, for example, the stoplip 14 of FIGS. 3-4). In still other embodiments, the lower opening 318may extend from a plane parallel to the upper opening (or top open end)314 of the sleeve up part of one or more of the sleeve sidewalls 316. Inparticular embodiments, the lower opening 318 may be shaped and locatedsuch that its upper extremity is proximate the seal 250 of the floatablebody 230 when the floatable body 230 is at the bottom of the sleeve 304.This may be advantageous, as it may facilitate the removal of air in thesecond cavity 322 trapped beneath the seal 250 during filling andfiltering.

As shown, sleeve 304 is disposed inside the cavity (or first cavity)312. To minimize the need to repeatedly add water to the pitcher 300 andmaximize the amount of filtered water obtained with each fill, it isadvantageous for the volume of the sleeve 304 to be similar to thevolume of the pitcher 302, as the unfiltered water is only placed in thesecond cavity 322 (above the floatable body 230). In a particularembodiment, the sleeve 304 is roughly the same height as the pitcher302, such that the upper opening 314 of the sleeve 304 is proximate theupper end 306 of the pitcher 302. In another embodiment, the secondcavity 322 fills a majority of the first cavity 312. In still anotherembodiment, the volume of the second cavity 322 may be at least 70%,85%, or more, of the volume of the cavity (or first cavity) 312.

According to various embodiments, the sleeve 304 comprises sleevesidewalls 316 that are substantially vertical. In the context of thepresent description and the claims that follow, substantially verticalmeans within 2° of vertical. The use of a y-seal 250 on the floatablebody 230 may be advantageous in embodiments where the sleeve sidewalls316 are not absolutely vertical, since the hinge portion 258 of the seal250 allows the tip 254 to move side to side without compromising thefluid seal, as previously discussed. In particular embodiments, thesleeve comprises a top portion with a wall slope within 1° of vertical,a middle portion with a wall slope within 0.5° of vertical and a lowerportion with a wall slope within 1° of vertical. The top portion isadjacent the top opening of the sleeve to the middle portion, the middleportion extends for a majority of the sleeve height, and the bottomportion begins below the middle portion at a point below the height ofthe floatable body 230 so that the floatable body seal 250 remains incontact with the middle portion when it is in its lowest operatingposition in the sleeve.

In some embodiments, the sleeve 304 may be coupled to the pitcher 302near the upper opening (or top open end) 314, to prevent the sleeve 304from rising up as water is filtered. In one embodiment, the sleeve 304and the pitcher 302 may be coupled near the upper opening 314 byfriction, an outer surface of the sleeve 304 being in direct contactwith an inner surface of the pitcher 302. In another embodiment, the twomay be coupled through a material or gasket. In yet another embodiment,the lid 326 may directly couple with the upper end 306 of the pitcher302 and the top open end 314 of the sleeve 304, holding both in place.In other embodiments, the sleeve 304 and pitcher 302 may be coupled nearthe pitcher base 311, or elsewhere, to prevent the sleeve 304 frommoving up and down with respect to the pitcher 302.

Pitcher 300 also includes a floatable body 230, having a seal 250extending outward from an outer surface 323 of the floatable body 230.In some embodiments, the floatable body 230 may also have a planar, orsubstantially planar, bottom surface 241, which may be maintainedparallel, or substantially parallel (e.g. within 2 degrees, etc.), tothe planar bottom surface 352 of the pitcher and/or the planar bottomsurface 354 of the sleeve as the floatable body 230 moves up and down,according to some embodiments. Similar to previously discussedembodiments, the seal 250 is configured to engage with the one or moresleeve sidewalls 316 such that water is restricted from passing betweenthe floatable body 230 and the sleeve 304 and a pressure differentialsufficient to move the floatable body 230 up and down within the sleeve304 may be created and maintained as water moves up and down in thechannel. Any of the other floatable body embodiments disclosed hereinmay be adapted for use with a sleeve 304. The floatable body 230 isconfigured to maintain its relative orientation with respect to thesleeve 304, independent of the orientation of the pitcher 300. Aspreviously discussed, this is accomplished through the seal 250, as wellas the thickness of the floatable body 230 being such that it cannot tipfar enough for the seal 250 to disengage, let alone get stuck or flipover entirely. The height of the floatable body 230 (or, morespecifically, the volume of trapped gas within the floatable body) mayvary, depending upon the material, shape, and resulting frictions (e.g.friction while moving upward, friction while moving downward) associatedwith accompanying seal 250. For example, a seal having lower frictionmay be used with a thinner floatable body 230 than seal having higherfriction, which would need to be balanced with the larger buoyant forceof a thicker floatable body 230.

As previously discussed, floatable body 230 further comprises a filteropening 232 surrounded by the floatable body 230 and configured toreceive a filter 234. In the non-limiting example shown in FIGS. 55-59,the filter opening 232 is accessible from the bottom of the floatablebody 230, while the top of the floatable body 230 comprises a series ofholes to allow water to enter a filter 234 installed in the filteropening 232.

The pitcher 300 has a pour lip 218 proximate the upper end 306. The pourlip 218 is configured to dispense filtered water via a spout (orchannel) 330 formed by a void 332 between the pitcher (or container)sidewalls 308 (e.g. outer wall 310) and the sleeve sidewalls 316, asshown in FIGS. 60-62. The spout 330 extends between an inlet opening 350adjacent the base 311 and an exit opening 348 adjacent the upper end306. The inlet opening 350 is in fluid communication with the lower end320 of the sleeve 304, and is configured to receive water from thesecond cavity 322, as shown. In some embodiments, the pitcher 302 andthe sleeve 304 may be mated or in some way sealed along the perimeter ofthe spout 330 as well as the lower opening 318 of the sleeve 304, suchthat the filtered water between the pitcher sidewalls 308 and the sleevesidewalls 306 is confined to the spout 330. In other embodiments, thefiltered water may be allowed to enter whatever space (albeit small)there is between the pitcher sidewalls 308 and the sleeve sidewalls 306,and the pitcher 302 and the sleeve 304 may be coupled such that filteredwater only exits the pitcher 300 from the pour lip 218 when tipped.

Referring now to FIGS. 60, 61 and 62, there are shown cross sectionalviews of the pitcher 300 taken along a cross section D-D as shown inFIG. 59 for various levels of filtered water within the pitcher 300.FIG. 60 shows a floatable body 230 comprising a centrally located filteropening 232 receiving an interchangeable water filter 234. The floatablebody 230 resides in a first (or lowered) position 328, which is thelowest point of the second cavity 322 accessible to the floatable body230. According to various embodiments, the floatable body 230 is in thefirst (or lowered) position 328 when there is no water in the secondcavity 322, and when unfiltered water 334 is initially poured into thepitcher 300.

As mentioned, the sleeve 304 may be removable. In such embodiments,various methods may be employed to constrain movement of the sleeve 304with respect to the pitcher 302, which may otherwise float within thepitcher 302 or wobble. In some embodiments, the lower end 320 of thesleeve 304 may be at least partially secured with respect to the pitcher302 through the use of a protrusion 324. As shown in the non-limitingexample of FIG. 60, the lower end 320 of the sleeve 304 has a protrusion324 extending outward, in the shape of an oval with one end inverted(e.g. following the shape of the bottom of the first cavity 312 of thepitcher 302). Furthermore, the embodiment of the pitcher 302 shown inFIG. 60 comprises a indentation in the interior surface of the pitcherbase 311 that mates with the protrusion 324 of the sleeve 304,inhibiting side-to-side movement of the sleeve 304 with respect to thepitcher 302. In some embodiments, the pitcher 302 may comprise one ormore protrusions 324 that mate with the sleeve 304 to restrict movement.In other embodiments, the lower end 320 of the sleeve (or another partof the sleeve 304) may comprise one or more protrusions 324 that matewith the pitcher 302 to restrict movement. In some embodiments, thesleeve 304 may have a base, which may be shaped to mate with aprotrusion 324 of the pitcher base 311. In other embodiments, the lowerend 320 of the sleeve 304 may be at least partially open. In suchembodiments, the pitcher base 311 may comprise a protrusion that mateswith the edge of at least part of the sleeve sidewalls 316 in the lowerend 320.

As seen in the non-limiting example shown in FIG. 60, a duct 336 existsbetween the bottom of the floatable body 230 and surface on which itrests while in the first (or lowered) position 328. As previouslydiscussed, in some embodiments the floatable body 230 may rest on asurface (e.g. pitcher base 311, a sleeve base in the lower end 320,etc.) when in the first (or lowered) position 328. In such embodiments,surface tension may prevent the separation of the floatable body 230from the surface, preventing or inhibiting the filtration of water. As asolution to this problem, particular embodiments comprise a duct 336between the bottom of the floatable body 230 and the surface, such thatthe upper portion 344 of the second cavity 322 remains in fluidcommunication with the spout 330 through the water filter 234 while thefloatable body 230 is in the first (or lowered) position 328.Alternatively, a channel or duct may be formed on the bottom surface ofthe floatable body 230 (see, for example, channel 286 in FIGS. 39-43).

In some embodiments, the duct 336 may be formed by a standoff placedbetween the surface and the floatable body 230 (the standoff may be partof either, or both). In other embodiments, the bottom surface of thefloatable body 230 and/or the surface on which it rests while in thefirst (or lowered) position 328 may be mismatched such that the duct 336exists. It should be noted that in some embodiments, the floatable body230 may be held above a surface by a structure (e.g. narrowing of thesleeve, a lip in the lower end 320, etc.) while in the first (orlowered) position 328, essentially creating a duct 336 the size of thebottom of the floatable body 230.

FIG. 61 illustrates the floatable body 230 at a midsection of secondcavity 322 as gravity causes water to filter from an upper portion 344of the second cavity 322 holding unfiltered water 334 to a lower portion346 of the second cavity 322 holding filtered water 340. The floatablebody 230 rises in the second cavity 322 as the amount of filtered water340 in lower portion 346 increases and the amount of unfiltered water334 in the upper portion 344 decreases. As previously discussed, thismotion may be attributed to a pressure differential 338.

FIG. 62 illustrates the floatable body 230 in a second (or raised)position 342, which is the highest point of the second cavity 322accessible to the floatable body 230. According to various embodiments,the floatable body 230 is in the second (or raised) position 342 whenunfiltered water 334 in the upper portion 344 has completely filteredinto the lower portion 346. FIGS. 60-62 illustrate the water level offiltered water 340 in the spout 330 during the filtering process, butfor clarity do not show any filtered water 340 between the pitchersidewalls 308 and sleeve sidewalls 316 outside of the spout 330.

Though this disclosure has been described with respect to exemplaryembodiments, many variations and modifications will become apparent tothose skilled in the art upon reading the present application. Thedisclosure is therefore that the appended claims be interpreted asbroadly as possible in view of the prior art to include all suchvariations and modifications. For instance, the container can be sizedas a handheld device having an upper pour lip but without a handle,characterized as a tumbler. The container can also be configured with alower dispensing port disposed through the sidewall, such as a spigot,proximate the container bottom to allow the selective dispensing offiltered water. In another embodiment, the seal 250 may be coupled tothe floatable body member in an inverted position, wherein the frictionarrangement is reversed such that the friction is lower as the floatablebody rises and higher when the floatable body is advanced toward thecavity bottom.

In another exemplary embodiment, the floatable body 230 can be comprisedof a singular integral body having a body opening and a media filterdefined therein, where the filter 234 is not used. In addition, thefloatable body can be configured to have an integrated central bodychamber in place of the filter opening configured to receive filtermedia wrapped in a fluid porous membrane, such as like a tea-bag filter.A pivoting lid covers the body opening, and can be opened to receive themodular filter media and then closed. The lid is configured to haveopenings to allow water to filter through the media filter, and thebottom of the body chamber also has openings to allow the filtered waterto pass to the filtered water cavity of the pitcher. This embodimentallows a disposable modular filter media to be used without a plastichousing, thereby creating a green media filter solution.

Various non-limiting aspects of embodiments of a water filter system maycomprise one or more of the following materials. Any of the floatableseals described and contemplated herein may comprise polypropylene (PP).Various embodiments of the floatable seals described and contemplatedherein may comprise a float overmold comprising thermoplastic elastomer(TPE) and/or GLS Versaflex™ CL. Any of the containers, pitchers, cupsand the like described and contemplated herein may comprisepolycarbonate (PC) and/or clear acrylic. Various embodiments of thecontainers, pitchers, cups and the like described and contemplatedherein may comprise a pitcher overmold comprising thermoplasticelastomer (TPE) and/or GLS Versaflex™ OM. Any of the pitcher lidsdescribed and contemplated herein may comprise PC and/or clear acrylic.Any of the filter sleeves contemplated and described herein may comprisePC and/or clear acrylic. Any of the sleeve lids, flaps, or other lidscontemplated and described herein may comprise PC and/or acrylonitrilebutadiene styrene. Various embodiments may further comprise stainlesssteel spring to bias the flap. Various embodiments may further comprisea PP filter top and filter bottom. Various embodiments of a water filtersystem may further comprise seal between the sleeve lid and the sleeve.This seal may comprise a silicone or any other O-ring known the art.

It will be understood that while the containers shown and referenced inmost of the figures of this document comprises a pitcher, it iscontemplated aspects of the water filter systems described herein may beapplied to other containers without departing from the scope of thisdisclosure. For example, the water filter systems described herein maybe adapted to drink coolers or dispensers, cups, dog bowls, and coffeemakers. Aspects of this described water filter systems may also bemanufactured according to any methods known in the art. In somenon-limiting embodiments, one or more of the floatable seal, thecontainer, the filter sleeve, and/or lid are injection molded and/orblow molded.

One or more embodiments of the drinking water filter systemscontemplated herein may further comprise a flavoring cartridge. Theflavoring cartridge may be couple to one of the floatable sealsdescribed herein proximate the filter opening. More particularly, theflavoring cartridge may removably couple to the floatable seal near thebase of the floatable seal. In still other embodiments, the flavoringcartridge is configured for use in place of the filter, and thereforesized to mount within the filter opening of the respective floatableseal. According to some aspects, the flavoring cartridge may be utilizedwith or without the filter, and is configured to add flavoring to thewater as it passes through the flavoring cartridge. Flavors may includebut are not limited to coffee flavors, tea flavors, fruit flavors,vitamin additives, electrolyte additives, energy additives, sweeteners,and/or any other drink additive known in the art.

In other embodiments of a drinking water filter system, the drinkingwater filter system comprises any of the containers and filtersdescribed throughout this document. In one or more embodiments, the sealmay be configured to comprise a weighted seal, as opposed to a floatingseal, that is configured to sink in water rather than float in water. Insuch an embodiment, the weighted seal may be configured similar to thefloating seal described above, including but not limited to a filteropening, rings, and/or annular arms. The weighted seal, however,comprises a weighted annular body, with or without an air-filledchamber. The weighted annular body is weighted such that the seal sinkswhen placed on water. In other embodiments, the weighted seal comprisesa plurality of weighted bodies comprising any shaped that allows theseal to sink when placed in water. The annular weighted body orplurality of weighted bodies may be placed within a chamber within theseal, or may form the body of the seal and are weighted such that whenthe seal is placed on water in the container, the seal sinks asunfiltered water passes through the filter from the area below thefilter to the area above the filter. The weighted bodies may comprisevaries metals, rubbers, or plastics.

In operation, embodiments of the weighted seal filter water as theweighted seal sinks in a container of unfiltered water. A weighted sealis placed on top of water in the container, the filter typically beingcoupled to the seal previous to the seal being placed on the water inthe container. As the weighted seal sinks in the in the water, theunfiltered water passes from below the filter through the filter to thearea above the filter. The rings and/or annular arms of the sealrestrict water from passing between the seal and the walls of thecontainer, as described in relation to other seal embodiments.

In still other embodiments of a drinking water filter system, thedrinking water filter system comprises any of the containers and filtersdescribed elsewhere in this document. Embodiments of the seal of theseembodiments, however, differ from the seals described in this document.In one or more embodiments, the seal comprises a handle coupled to theseal. In such an embodiment, the handled seal may be configured similarto the floating seal or weighted seal described above, including but notlimited to a filter opening, rings, and/or annular arms. The handledseal may further comprise the weighted bodies or gas-filled chambers ofprevious embodiments or, alternatively, may lack comprise only a plateextending between the filter opening and the annular arms and/or rings.The handle is positioned on the seal such that when the seal is placedon water in the container, unfiltered water passes through the filterfrom the area below the seal to the area above the seal, or vice versadepending upon which direction the force is applied, as a user holdingthe handle applies a force to the seal.

In operation, embodiments of the handled seal filter water as thehandled seal sinks in a container of unfiltered water. A handled seal isplaced on top of water in the container, the filter typically beingcoupled to the seal previous to the seal being placed on the water inthe container. Using the handle, a user then presses the seal downward.As the handled seal sinks in the in the water, the unfiltered waterpasses from below the filter through the filter to the area above thefilter. The rings and/or annular arms of the seal restrict water frompassing between the seal and the walls of the container, as described inrelation to other seal embodiments. According to some aspects, thefloatable seals contemplated herein are configured such that the filter40 does not rest in the filtered water held in the container.Specifically, the floatable seals may comprise lips or otherconfigurations that hold the base of the filter above the bottom of therespective floatable seal.

It will be understood that implementations are not limited to thespecific components disclosed herein, as virtually any componentsconsistent with the intended operation of a method and/or systemimplementation for a water filter system may be utilized. Accordingly,for example, although particular filters, containers, and seals may bedisclosed, such components may comprise any shape, size, style, type,model, version, class, grade, measurement, concentration, material,weight, quantity, and/or the like consistent with the intended operationof a method and/or system implementation for a water filter system maybe used.

1. A portable water pitcher comprising: a floatable body surrounding afilter opening adapted to receive and engage a replaceable water filtertherein, the floatable body having a seal extending outward of an outersurface of the floatable body; and a pitcher having an upper end and abase opposite the upper end, the base and the upper end joined by anouter wall, the pitcher defining a first cavity; a removable sleevepositioned within the pitcher and extending from the upper end toproximate the base of the pitcher, the sleeve defining a second cavitywithin the pitcher and comprising one or more sidewalls continuouslysurrounding the second cavity, the sleeve having a top open end and abottom open end; a spout formed by the one or more sidewalls of theremovable sleeve and the outer wall of the pitcher, the spout extendingfrom adjacent the base of the pitcher to adjacent the upper end of thepitcher, the spout defining an exit opening located adjacent the upperend and an inlet opening located adjacent the base, wherein the inletopening of the spout is in fluid communication with the bottom end ofthe sleeve and receives water from the second cavity of the sleeve;wherein the floatable body is disposed in the second cavity with theseal engaging the one or more sidewalls to restrict water from passingbetween the floatable body and the one or more sidewalls as thefloatable body moves from a raised position adjacent the top end of thesleeve to a lowered position adjacent the bottom open end of the sleeve;and wherein as a function of water dispensing through the spout, thefloatable body auto-retracts towards the base while maintaining theengagement of the seal with the one or more sidewalls and an orientationof the floatable body in relation to the base as the pitcher is tippedto pour water from the spout.
 2. The portable water pitcher of claim 1,wherein the auto-retraction of the floatable body is in reaction to apressure differential created between air above the floatable body inthe second cavity and water below the floatable body in the secondcavity.
 3. The portable water pitcher of claim 1, wherein theauto-retraction of the floatable body is in a direction away from theexit opening of the spout.
 4. The portable water pitcher of claim 3,wherein the base of the pitcher is located above the exit opening of thespout at the upper opening when the floatable body auto-retracts awayfrom the upper opening towards the base when the pitcher is tipped topour water from the spout.
 5. The portable water pitcher of claim 4,wherein the seal of the floatable body is located above the bottom endof the sleeve after the floatable body has been auto-retracted to thebase.
 6. The portable water pitcher of claim 5, wherein the floatablebody has a planar bottom surface and the sleeve has a planar bottomsurface, the planar surfaces located parallel to one another and remainparallel as the floatable body auto-retracts towards the base when thepitcher is tipped to pour water from the spout.
 7. The portable waterpitcher of claim 6, wherein the floatable body fills a portion of thebottom open end as the floatable body auto-retracts towards the base. 8.The portable water pitcher of claim 1, wherein the top open end of thesleeve is proximate the upper end of the pitcher and the bottom open endof the sleeve is in contact with the base.
 9. The portable water pitcherof claim 1, wherein the second cavity fills a majority of the firstcavity.
 10. The portable water pitcher of claim 1, the first cavityhaving a first volume and the second cavity having a second volume,wherein the second volume fills at least 70% of the first volume. 11.The portable water pitcher of claim 10, wherein the second volume fillsat least 85% of the first volume.
 12. The portable water pitcher ofclaim 1, wherein one of the bottom open end of the sleeve and thepitcher base comprises a protrusion, and an other of the bottom open endof the sleeve and the pitcher base is mated with the protrusion.
 13. Theportable water pitcher of claim 1, wherein the pitcher engages thesleeve proximate at least one of the top open end and the bottom openend of the sleeve.
 14. The portable water pitcher of claim 1, furthercomprising a removable lid coupled to the upper end of the pitcher andthe top open end of the sleeve.
 15. The portable water pitcher of claim1, wherein the floatable body having a volume within the floatable bodyand the second cavity having a volume within the second cavity, whereinthe ratio of the floatable body volume to the second cavity volume beingwithin the range of ⅛ to ½.
 16. The portable water pitcher of claim 1:wherein the seal has a first portion configured to engage the floatablebody and a second portion extending outwardly and configured to engagethe one or more sleeve sidewalls and restrict water from passing betweenthe floatable body and the one or more sleeve sidewalls; wherein thesecond portion comprises an arm, a distal tapered tip coupled to thearm, and a bridge coupled to the arm through a hinge portion oppositethe tapered tip and also coupled to the first portion opposite the hingeportion; wherein the hinge portion is configured to allow the secondportion to bend about the hinge portion such that the tapered tipengages the one or more sleeve sidewalls at a second angle relative tothe floatable body when the floatable body rises, and a first angle whenthe floatable body lowers; and wherein the tapered tip is configured tocreate friction with the one or more sleeve sidewalls, wherein thefriction created when the floatable body rises in the sleeve isdifferent from the friction created when the floatable body lowers inthe sleeve.
 17. A portable water pitcher comprising: a floatable bodysurrounding a filter opening adapted to receive and engage a replaceablewater filter therein, the floatable body having a seal extending outwardof an outer surface of the floatable body; and a pitcher having an upperend, a sidewall defining a cavity, a lid, and a base opposite the upperend, the pitcher further having an inner wall and an outer wall defininga channel, the channel including an exit opening located adjacent theupper end and an inlet opening located adjacent the base; wherein thefloatable body is disposed in the cavity with the seal engaging thesidewall of the cavity to restrict water from passing between thesidewall and the floatable body as the floatable body moves between afirst position and a second position; and wherein as a result of waterdispensing through the exit opening of the channel, the floatable bodyauto-retracts away from the lid towards the base while maintaining theengagement of the seal with the sidewall and an orientation of thefloatable body in relation to the base as the pitcher is tipped to pourwater from the channel.
 18. The portable water pitcher of claim 17,wherein the auto-retraction of the floatable body is in a direction awayfrom the exit opening of the channel.
 19. The portable water pitcher ofclaim 18, wherein the base of the pitcher is located above the exitopening of the channel when the floatable body auto-retracts away fromthe lid towards the base when the pitcher is tipped to pour water fromthe channel.
 20. The portable water pitcher of claim 19, wherein theinner wall has a terminal end that is spaced a distance from the baseand defines a passageway in fluid communication with the inlet openingof the channel, the floatable body reduces the size of the passageway asthe floatable body auto-retracts towards the base.
 21. The portablewater pitcher of claim 20, wherein the seal of the floatable body islocated above the terminal end after the floatable body has beenretracted to the base.
 22. The portable water pitcher of claim 21,wherein the floatable body has a planar bottom surface and the base hasa planar bottom surface, the planar surfaces located parallel to oneanother and remaining parallel as the floatable body auto-retractstoward the base when the pitcher is tipped to pour water from thechannel.
 23. The portable water pitcher of claim 21, wherein thefloatable body further comprises at least one contact point on a surfaceof the floatable body that is vertically spaced from the seal by morethan half a distance between a top surface of the floatable seal and abottom surface of the floatable seal.
 24. A method of filtering water,comprising: disposing a removable sleeve in a first cavity of acontainer, the container having a handle, an upper end, a pour lip, oneor more pitcher sidewalls, and a pitcher base opposite the upper endtogether defining the first cavity, and the removable sleeve having anupper opening, one or more sleeve sidewalls, and a lower opening in theone or more sleeve sidewalls proximate a lower end of the sleeveopposite the upper opening together defining a second cavity; securingan interchangeable water filter within a filter opening of a floatablebody, the floatable body surrounding the filter opening and having aseal extending outward of an outer surface of the floatable body;disposing the floatable body within the sleeve such that the seal isengaged with the one or more sleeve sidewalls and restricts water frompassing between the floatable body and the one or more sleeve sidewallswhile the floatable body remains moveable within the second cavitybetween a first position proximate the pitcher base to a second positionproximate the sleeve upper opening; filling a portion of the secondcavity above the floatable body with unfiltered water deposited throughthe upper opening; dispensing filtered water by tipping the pitcher,pouring the filtered water from the second cavity below the floatablebody through a channel formed by a void between the container and thesleeve, the channel extending from the second cavity through the loweropening of the sleeve to the pour lip proximate the upper end of thecontainer; refilling the portion of the second cavity above thefloatable body with unfiltered water after the all filtered water hasbeen dispensed and the floatable body has auto-retracted to the firstposition in response to the dispensing of all filtered water; whereinfiltered water is deposited into the second cavity below the floatablebody after passing through the water filter as the floatable body moveswithin the sleeve toward the second position in response to a firstpressure differential within the second cavity created by waterfiltering from above the floatable body to below the floatable body; andwherein the floatable body auto-retracts toward the first position,while maintaining engagement with the one more sleeve sidewalls andrelative orientation in relation to the pitcher base, in response to asecond pressure differential within the second cavity created by pouringfiltered water from the second cavity through the channel by tipping thepitcher, wherein the auto-retraction toward the first position is aresult of the pouring of filtered water and in a direction opposite adirection of the filtered water moving through the channel to the pourlip.
 25. The method of claim 24, further comprising coupling a removablelid to the upper end and the upper opening.
 26. The method of claim 24,wherein one of the lower end of the sleeve and the pitcher basecomprises a protrusion, and wherein disposing the removable sleeve inthe first cavity of the container further comprises mating the other ofthe lower end of the sleeve and the pitcher base with the protrusion.